What is fetal hypoxia? The reasons. Treatment. Prevention

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Intrauterine hypoxia is one of the most common problems faced by expectant mothers.

What is fetal hypoxia? This diagnosis suggests that the baby in the womb does not receive the amount of oxygen it needs. It can occur both during the normal course of pregnancy and at the very beginning of labor (acute form).

If a lack of oxygen occurs early, the processes of formation of the most important organs of the child may be disrupted, which can later lead to the development of complex anomalies and injuries. Closer to childbirth, the central nervous system of the baby and its physical development are at risk, and there is a possibility of growth retardation. Those children who are faced with hypoxia just before childbirth should be constantly under the supervision of a neurologist: they may develop disorders of the autonomic nervous system, sometimes muscle hypertonicity occurs, the baby becomes restless and capricious, malnourished and sleeps poorly.

What is fetal hypoxia, we already know. But there is also an acutelack of oxygen, which occurs, as a rule, suddenly. To make up for the lack of gas vital for the child, his body begins to use the so-called compensatory mechanisms, his body literally works for wear and tear. As a result, the expectant mother feels the extremely active movement of the baby. At the same time, the weak body of the embryo cannot work in this mode for a long time, and therefore, without oxygen, it soon calms down, since it can no longer move. If you do not promptly consult a doctor who will conduct all the necessary studies, fix hypoxia and eliminate it, the consequences can be extremely deplorable for mom and baby.

However, it is not enough to know what fetal hypoxia is. No less important are the reasons leading to the development of this disorder. The first and most banal is the lack of iron in the mother's blood, which is responsible for the production of hemoglobin. It is hemoglobin that supplies oxygen to all organs and tissues of the body. Anemia - low hemoglobin levels due to iron deficiency - is one of the most common causes of hypoxia.

Quite frequent are cases of impaired placental metabolism (exchange of beneficial substances between mother and fetus). In addition to the lack of nutrients, the baby may not receive enough oxygen as well.

Smoking during pregnancy can have the strongest effect. Nicotine, which constricts blood vessels, disrupts the processes of blood circulation. Since the organisms of the mother and child are inseparably linked, this affects not only the woman, but also the baby.

Various diseases of the mother (including chronic ones) can also cause hypoxia. These are diseases of the heart, blood vessels, respiratory tract, frequent stress, polyhydramnios, disorders that occur during breech presentation, pathology of the umbilical cord and placenta, intrauterine infections. Also, the cause may be various malformations of the embryo itself.

What to do with fetal hypoxia? As a rule, expectant mothers with this diagnosis are admitted to the hospital for a hospital. They are under the supervision of specialists, undergo an appropriate course of therapy. The important point is to maintain complete rest. If the period is 28 weeks or more, and there is no positive dynamics, a caesarean section is performed.

There is fetal hypoxia of the 1st degree (the baby lags behind in development up to 2 weeks), the 2nd (lag by 2-4 weeks) and the 3rd (more than 4 weeks). Depending on the degree, the measures that specialists will take may also vary.

Speaking about what fetal hypoxia is, it is worth saying that its best prevention is a he althy lifestyle, giving up alcohol and smoking, a balanced diet, walking in the fresh air. And, of course, you need to visit a doctor regularly - only he will be able to identify violations in time and minimize their consequences.